Lander Unveils Comprehensive Plan for Free, High Quality Child Care and Afterschool for All
Lays out a plan for full day, high quality care from 2-K through Pre-K and free afterschool for all public school students through 8th grade and summer jobs for teens and young adults
NEW YORK, NY — With child care costs driving families out of New York City at record rates, Brad Lander unveiled the most comprehensive plan for free, high quality child care for 2-K, 3-K and Pre-K and free, high quality afterschool for every public school student K - 8th grade.
“My wife Meg and I raised two kids in Brooklyn, both of whom went to public school. I know that the lack of affordable child care and afterschool options are some of the most pressing affordability issues for working families in New York City, which is why I’ll fulfill the promise of Pre-K and 3K; expand free, universal, full day high-quality child care to 2-year-olds with the introduction of 2-K; and ensure every NYC public school student from kindergarten through 8th grade has access to free, high-quality afterschool,” said Brad Lander. “We must ensure that New Yorkers who want to raise their children here can afford to do so. Providing free, high quality child care and afterschool programming will solve a huge piece of the equation.”
From 2-K to Pre-K: Brad’s Vision for Affordable, Accessible Child Care
Skyrocketing child care costs are crushing New York’s working families. As part of his commitment to making our city more affordable, Brad will ensure the City fully delivers on the promise of universal 3-K and Pre-K—and begin building a full day 2-K for All program to serve 2-year-olds.
Together, these programs will guarantee every child in preschool gets the services they need, when they need them; providers are paid on time; child care workers earn fair wages; and working families have access to stable, reliable child care. Brad’s plan will increase families’ disposable income by nearly $2 billion annually, boost productivity, and deliver an additional $900 million each year to employers through reduced turnover and a more stable workforce.
The results
16,000 additional 3-K seats to meet projected universal demand.
Increased options for full day care for families that are eligible for subsidies and the 77,000 NYC families that currently do not qualify for subsidies.
Development of a new 2-K program that will ultimately serve all 2 year-olds in need of full-time (8 am - 6 pm) or part-time care.
Increased wages for New York City’s 32,917 child care workers, over 90% of whom are women and almost 90% are people of color.
Full special education services for the 14,000, or 44% of all preschool age children with IEPs who were not receiving their full services last year. There are currently 651 children on the waitlist for just a seat.
Nearly $2 billion increase in annual disposable family income.
An additional $900 million in annual productivity gains for employers, driven by reduced turnover and improved performance from current employees.
Opportunity Year-Round: Afterschool, Summer Rising + Youth Employment (SYEP)
As part of his promise to create a more affordable city, Brad developed a comprehensive plan to invest in our public school students, from high-quality afterschool programming to summer job opportunities.
Brad will work to provide a safe, nurturing place for children after school, from the moment school ends until 6:00 pm. But investments in New York City’s young people can’t stop when the school year ends. Brad will upgrade Summer Rising to meet the demand for seats and the needs of all students through 8th grade, providing kids with the academic support and enriching summer experiences they need while providing working parents with free high quality care for their kids over the summer.
To support our young people past middle school, Brad will guarantee meaningful summer employment to every 14–24 year old that wants a job and facilitate connections to jobs during the school year, to set our youth on a path to better outcomes, keep them safer and healthier, provide needed income for them and their families, and contribute to our city’s vibrant communities and economy.
The results
Afterschool programming for an estimated 230,000 five to fourteen year-olds annually through 6 pm.
Summer Rising educational and enrichment summer programming for 140,000 elementary and middle school students through 6 pm.
The largest SYEP program in the country– providing summer jobs for 160,000 14-24 year olds, including undocumented youth.
Support for NYC employers through SYEP.
Read From 2-K to Pre-K: Brad’s Vision for Affordable, Accessible Child Care and Opportunity Year-Round: Afterschool, Summer Rising + Youth Employment.
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